Yorkshire sprinter Ben Swift (Team Sky) is desperate for a place on the starting line of the Tour de France and is certainly doing his chances no harm so far this season. Two podium places at Challenge Mallorca and a career-best third at Milan-San Remo have reminded everybody of his sprinting credentials, and he reiterated that with first place on stage one of the Coppi e Bartali.

Now, while his performance was overshadowed by Tony Martin’s win, he has continued his good form by winning the sprint for second in Urdazabi. Leading out a long one, Swift held off the challenge of Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) – no mean feat considering the undulating terrain which preceded it. Frank Schleck (Trek Factory Racing) was among the riders who lost contact with the leading group, but benefitting from the protection of Team Sky, Swift put in a strong ride and reaped the rewards. A debut Tour de France appears to not be such an impossible dream.